Kay Hagan: “I also rise to speak for women and children across this country but especially in North Carolina. Prenatal and postnatal…”

“I also rise to speak for women and children across this country but especially in North Carolina. Prenatal and postnatal maternal care translates into healthy moms and healthy families. Children who receive regular well-child visits to their doctors and recommended immunizations live healthier lives. They can go to school and just be kids. But the House-passed continuing resolution for the remainder of fiscal year 2011 makes draconian cuts to community health centers and the title V maternal child health block grant--two programs that are vital in reducing maternal and child mortality. If these cuts go through, nearly 4 and a half million women and children under age 6 are at risk of losing care. Consider that community health centers account for 17.2 percent of all low-income births, but prenatal patients at health centers are less likely to give birth to low birth weight babies compared to their counterparts nationally. It is because they are getting good prenatal care. Moreover, rates of vaccination among children receiving regular care at a health center are uniformly higher than those of children with another source of care. With the House-proposed cuts, pregnant women and children, who rely on community health centers for care, will be left with literally nowhere to turn for health care.”